march/april 2015

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Congregation Beth Ami Community Passover Seder Saturday, April 4 at 8 p.m. Welcoming all ages, affiliations, interfaith & LGBT communities, members, and non-members

Community Seder led by Rabbi Miller Reservations Deadline: Wed., Apr. 1 by 4 p.m.

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Congregation Beth Ami 4676 Mayette Ave. Santa Rosa, CA 95405 (707)360-3000

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Congregation Beth Ami

Office, Library, and Gift Shop Hours

4676 Mayette Avenue Santa Rosa, CA 95405

Mon.–Thurs. 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Telephone707/360-3000 Fax707/360-3003

Mission Statement

Email [email protected] Website BethAmiSR.org

Congregation Beth Ami enriches our lives, transforms our hearts, helps heal the world and sustains our Jewish heritage. We are deeply rooted in Jewish tradition and welcome all to our community through celebration, learning, education, and prayer.

Fri. 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Please “like” us at facebook.com/CongregationBethAmi

Personnel Rabbi Mordecai Miller 707-889-6905 [email protected] Carolyn Metz, Executive Director 707-360-3011 [email protected] Elizabeth Jarlsberg, Office Manager 707-360-3000 [email protected] Diane Lennox, Bookkeeper [email protected] Jenny Levine-Smith Nursery School Director 707-360-3030 [email protected] Mandi Emery-Flynn, NS Assistant 707-360-3030 [email protected] Rick Concoff, JCC Teen Program 707-823-3916 [email protected] Ben and Tara Winkler, Shofar Newsletter 641-451-7076 [email protected] Pnina Loeb, RS Director 707-360-3000 [email protected] Gabor Por, Librarian 707-360-3006 [email protected] Bonnie Boren, Gift Shop 707-360-3022 [email protected]

Andrea Nett, Friedman Center Director 707-360-3021 [email protected] Edythe Smith, Invitations 707-538-3698

Officers and Board of Directors, 2014–15 Laura Alexander, President [email protected], 837-8695 Barbara McGee, Treasurer [email protected], 953-2526 Betty Boyd, Secretary [email protected], 537-2211 Arnold Drake, Past President [email protected], 542-1765 Myrna Morse, VP of Administration [email protected] , 539-5457 Russ Gurevitch, VP of Facilities [email protected] Barbara Tomin, VP of Youth & Education [email protected], 576-1167 Mel Decker, VP of Ways and Means, [email protected], 540-0614

Members at Large Richard Kahn [email protected], 217-5265 Alan Krubiner [email protected], 694-6239

Lyla Nathan [email protected], 526-7438 Jeff Sheff, Adult Education [email protected], 539-5346 Leanne Schy, Torah/Haftarah Readings [email protected], 528-4874

Members Ex Officio Carolyn Metz, 481-3390 Jenny Levine-Smith, 360-3030 Pnina Loeb, 695-2275 Rabbi Miller, (314) 308-3672 Andrea Nett, 707-360-3021

Deadline for May/June 2015 Shofar is Apr. 15 Jewish Community Contacts Hillel of Sonoma County Ilana Stoelting, (707) 795-5464 www.sonomahillel.org JCC, Sonoma County Beth Goodman, 528-4222, www.jccsoco.org Jewish Community Federation Barbara Levinson, 568-6207, www.sfjcf.org Jewish Community Free Clinic Donna Waldman, 585-7780, www.jewishfreeclinic.org Jewish Community Relations Council Suzan Berns, 415/957-1551, www.jcrc.org Jewish Family & Children’s Services Diana Klein, 571-8131, www.jfcs.org/sonoma-county

March / April 2015 • Congregation Beth Ami Shofar • page 2 • bethamisr.org

Rabbi’s

remarks Rabbi Mordecai Miller

What’s in a Name? There’s a major statement being made here Purim and Pesach; what do the names of these about life and death. On reflection, one can two festivals actually mean? be dead when alive, and alive in death. It all The word, Purim, is based on the Persian depends on the kind of life one leads. If a perword pur which means lot—as in casting lots. son’s life is about nothing but their own physiIt features as the name of the festival because cal survival, they miss out on a fundamental elHaman cast lots to see which day would be ement of life: the ability to discover the spiritual the most advantageous, from an astrological element of it. One basic spiritual principal is: point of view, to kill the Jews. For the people “Whatever you want, give to others!” For exat that time, this would have been akin to our ample: if you want respect, using a scientific process— The word, Purim, is based then you have to give reweather, political climate, on the Persian word pur spect. To engage in a spiripopulation studies etc.—to which means lot— tual point of view a person see what would be the best as in casting lots. has to try to see the value of time to engage in some delilife as extending beyond his cate enterprise. or her earthbound existence. It involves finding The essential miracle that took place on Pua transcendent element in the everyday. rim was this: despite the fact that the 13th of It’s amazing to think that the theme of perseAdar was the perfect time for Haman to launch cution and redemption are as relevant today as his attack on the Jews; with Divine help, the they ever were. Even after the monstrosity of Jews were able to turn certain defeat into a the Holocaust, Anti-Semitism is growing once major victory. The astrological theme suggests again. I read recently that “Never again!” is that there was more to what happened than a becoming “Ever again!” fortunate escape. There is cosmic significance Purim and Pesach come to reassure us that behind these events; it represents the victory there does exist “Help from another place” of the forces of good over evil. Pesach comes from a word that means to skip (Esther 4:14). At the same time, it took Esther’s over—just as lambs skip over various obstacles! courage and the faith of our ancestors in Egypt to enable these Divine acts of redemption. In this case, the skipping over had to do with Today Purim and Pesach are opportunities to the Angel of death skipping over the homes of seek ways to be worthy of Divine Redemption, the Israelites. Importantly, the way the Angel speedily and in our days! knew which homes to avoid was the mark of blood, taken from the slaughtered lamb, on the two doorposts and lintel on each Israelite home. Ironically, blood is a symbol of death! Yet here it became a symbol of life! Honor thy mother...also Leaf—$360 The act of slaughtering the Paschal lamb thy aunt, uncle, cousin, Small Stone—$1000 in Egypt was an act of tremendous courage child, best friend, teach- Large Stone—$2500 er with an engraved We also provide the on the part of the Israelites. Elsewhere in the leaf on our Simcha opportunity for you to Torah we read that the Egyptians worshipped Board, commemorating memorialize loved ones. the lamb. (Implied in Genesis 43:32; 46:31–34) any joyous occasion, Slaughtering a lamb was slaughtering an Egypbestowal Yahrzeit Board tian deity. We can only imagine the possible of an honor, or cause Plaque—$450 for thanksgiving. consequences our ancestors had to anticipate.

Simcha Board Tree of Life

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Events & Announcements New Members:

Israeli dancing:

Anne Tomin & Reuel Kaplan Marge & Allan Brody Sanford & Jo Anne Bressick

Mar. 11 & 25; Apr. 8 & 22

Births: Winifred Ruth Bleasdale, granddaughter of Pnina Loeb & Jeff Richman Solomon Meyer Dietrich, grandson of Paul & Michelle Zygielbaum

Deaths: Verlayne Offenbach, mother of Paula Schlesinger Hal Boren, husband of Barbara Boren and father of Bonnie Boren.

Traditional Megillah Reading Wed., Mar. 4—6 p.m.

Les Mégillah Mar. 7 & 8—The Beth Ami Purim Spiel The calendar turns, and that means that another Purim Spiel is upon us. This year’s Spiel is Les Mégillah, as we hope to build upon the monster Broadway hit, Les Misérables. Of course, since spiels rarely build upon anything—we are more destructive in our artistry—you can expect lots of fun to emerge out of our efforts. The Purim Players feel another hit is in the offing! Sat., Mar. 7—7:30 p.m. $30/person for spiel and party. Join us following the performance to party with the spielers; continue the fun with music by the Megillah Band, dancing, wine, refreshments, Beth Ami-made hamentashen, and more. Sun., Mar. 8—2 p.m. $10/Adults, Children 12 & under free. Following the performance you shouldn’t leave hungry: have some Beth Amimade hamentashen.

with Lior Ben Hur (USY Kadima weekend) Mar. 20—5:30 p.m. service for tots; 6 p.m. dinner*; 7 p.m. service Reggae & Israeli Fusion Born and raised in Jerusalem, Israel, Lior BenHur has traveled to over a dozen countries where he spent time learning, performing and sharing experiences with musicians and artists around the globe. For the last ten years Lior made his home base in San Francisco, CA. In 2011, he founded Sol Tevél Project and in 2012 they released their debut album, World Light, which aims to shed a new light and contemporary interpretation on old Jewish texts, ideals and mysticism.

Are You In? Come find out how to get in. New chavurot forming. Who: Beth Ami members who are looking for community and an extended family. When: Sun., Mar. 22—11 a.m. Where: The Beth Ami Library or room 12/13 What: An introductory meeting to see who is interested in a chavurah. We may form one, two, or more chavurot. Why: Each chavurah has its own character and focus. Some groups meet to eat and socialize, others to celebrate Shabbat and holidays together, and still others to go on hikes or to the theater together. For more information, call Diane Ashton at 538-1178

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Religious School Report Pnina Loeb, Religious School Director

Save These Religious School Dates: Sun., Mar. 1—10 a.m.–12 p.m. Beth Ami & You Purim Palooza Wed., Mar. 4—6 p.m. Purim and the Megillah, with students acting some scenes in a skit. Come in costume, have fun, learn, and be amused! Fri., Mar. 6 Family Shabbat Dinner, please make your reservations! Fri., Mar. 20 Rockin’ Shabbat with Leor Ben Hur. Sun., Mar. 29—10 a.m.–12 p.m. Beth Ami & You, A Taste of Pesach. Sat., Apr.4—6:30 p.m. Beth Ami Community Seder Sun., Apr. 19—10 a.m.–12 p.m. Beth Ami & You celebrating Yom Hatzmaut Sun., Apr. 26—12–4 p.m. Simcha Sunday at Veterans Memorial Building Sun., May 17—10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Last day of Religious School for this school year! Come and celebrate your child’s accomplishments, thank Rabbi Miller, their teachers, staff, all the volunteers, and party a little too. Thank you to all of our parent volunteers, and

to Tamar Landau, Nick Alexander, and Daniel Elizalde for sharing their knowledge and talent, working with our grades 3-7 students during T’fillah. As you probably already know, Ayala Almog, who was our T’fillah teacher, is no longer able to work with the Religious School. To have these three very talented people assist me as I’ve taken on that role, is an immense assistance. Esther Baruch has been and will continue to evaluate many of our 6-7th graders on their T’fillah leadership readiness. This gives me great feedback as we always work with each student, teaching them and supporting their growth from wherever they are in their studies. Pesach is the first of the three great annual festivals. This feast was instituted by God to commemorate our deliverance from Egyptian bondage. Please join as we celebrate and commemorate together on April 4th for the 2nd Seder.

InterfaithFamily Series

Please Support Our Advertisers Contact Congregation Beth Ami Office [email protected] for details about advertising in the Shofar.

Thank you!

InterfaithFamily has a new series of 8 emails focused on Jewish spiritual parenting that begins on March 9. The series is about creating more joyful and spiritual parenting opportunities. Participants will receive an email a week for 8 weeks. Each email will cover a different theme such as mealtime with our children, social play with one another, opportunities to see the blessings around us, and how to talk to our children about God. For more information, please contact Marilyn at marilynw@ interfaithfamily.com or register online for the InterfaithFamily/Bay Area free email series.

March / April 2015 • Congregation Beth Ami Shofar • page 5 • bethamisr.org

Nursery School Notes Jenny Levine-Smith Nursery School Directorr

2015 is off to a fantastic start at Beth Ami Community Nursery School. The staff and I came back from winter break revitalized, and took an inspiring tour of the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County on our professional development day, which really got our creative, collaborative juices flowing. But of course we couldn’t wait to see our beloved students, and we have been thrilled to welcome seven new faces in 2015 in addition to our continuing students! We started February with a very successful Open House, which was attended by many current families, who were able to see their children’s work as well as to take a look at next year’s classrooms. We also had many prospective families come and check out our rooms, talk to the teachers, and learn about our program. Registration for new and returning families is now open for the 2015/16 school year as well as for this summer! We have added two weeks to the school year to align more closely to the public school system, and will continue to offer the longer extended care hours that make our school accessible to working families. We are thrilled that we are serving three times as many children as we did last year in morning care and afternoon care while maintaining the excellence in Early Childhood Education that we are known for. We have recently revamped our website as well. It is more colorful, more informative,

easier to navigate and understand, and peppered with pictures of our program and our students. Check us out at BethAmiSR.org and click on the link for Nursery School under the Education tab. Springtime brings flowers, field trips, and of course, Purim and Pesach. Our Purim Carnival is scheduled for Thursday morning, March 5. Children come to school in costume, and class-by-class, they enjoy the activities—crown designing, macaroni necklace making, ring toss, etc.—put together and run by our nursery school parent volunteers. On March 24, we will celebrate Pesach with a daytime Nursery School Seder. Headlining the event will be our teacher-produced reenactment of the story of Moses leading the Jews out of Egypt. This will be followed up with blessings by Rabbi Miller and a tasting and explanations of traditional Seder food.

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Israel From The Left Coast Bob Raful

Here is your ultimate guide to the top events in Israel in 2015. No matter when you visit Israel, you can be sure there will be festivals and other special events on tap somewhere in the county. ISRAEL21c has chosen 30 events from February through November (December warrants a separate listing), to feature in our ultimate guide to 2015 in Israel. It’s not an exhaustive list, but it does provide a glimpse into the festive future. Because of space limitations, this report highlights only the events through Yom Ha’atzmaut. Find the rest at the ISRAEL21c.org web site. The Red Sea Jazz Festival, Feb 19-21.The fifth annual winter edition of the annual international Red Sea Jazz Festival at the Eilat port will feature 19 musical performances, a jam session and four master classes. Among the artists participating are Israeli singer-songwriter-guitarist Tamar Eisenman, the Enrico Rava Quintet from Italy and Indonesian child prodigy pianist Joey Alexander. Sounds of the Old City, March 9-12. Musical bands and ensembles will perform authentic music on central stages and in the streets of Jerusalem’s Old City quarters (Jewish, Muslim, Armenian and Christian), each matched to the character of the quarter. Visitors will follow a circular route from the Jaffa Gate. Free entrance; 7-11pm. Eliat Birds Festival, March 15-22. Organized by the Israel Ornithological Center of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, the Eilat Birds Festival brings together birders from the world over during the peak of spring migration in southern Israel. Special packages are available at the Isrotel Agamim Hotel, which hosts the event now in its ninth year. International Clown Festival, Netanya, March 18-20. Clowns from Israel and other countries will offer performances and workshops, some for free.

Festival of Wine & Plenty, Zichron Yaacov, March 25-26. In the picturesque Ramat Hanadiv gardens, local wineries and producers of cheese, olive oil, jams and baked confections will offer tastings, workshops and cooking demonstrations. Ahava Dead Sea Festival, April 5-8. For the 19th year, the Dead Sea will be the setting for a rock music festival that many Israelis and tourists anticipate all year long. In addition to performances by Israel’s top artists, guests may take advantage of guided tours in the area. If you’re more into the indie alternative music scene, head to Ashdod during this same time period during Passover to catch the famous Boombamela Festival. Independence Day, April 22-23. From the night of April 22 through the night of April 23, Israelis will be celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut (Independence Day) with cookouts, shows, fireworks displays and other celebrations. If you’re in Tel Aviv, check out the giant fireworks display over Rabin Square and the Israel Air Force flyover above the shore.

September / October 2014 • Congregation Beth Ami Shofar • page 7 • www.bethamisr.org

The Kitchen Corner

Jeffrey & Janet Stein-Larson (Co-Chairs)

Ask the Rabbi: Kosher Curiosities Dear Rabbi; We are learning about keeping kosher. It’s nice when we have a Hekhsher (kosher symbol) telling us that the processed item is kosher. What do we do when there is no Hekhsher on the item? Is there a list of kosher chemical ingredients or additives that we can follow? Is there a way of finding out when the ingredients list states natural ingredients if the natural ingredients are okay? Thank you; Curious Kitty Dear Curious Kitty, As a rabbi, I’ve learned that actually keeping Kosher isn’t black and white. I think it’s fair to say that there are degrees of Kashrut and there are also (no surprise here), areas of disagreement with regard to certain kashrut laws. In addition, life teaches us that turning an ideal into a reality often involves taking circumstances into consideration. So…for someone just beginning to take on the principles of Kashrut it’s important not to (forgive the expression) bite off more than you can chew! There are major concerns that are relatively straight-forward, for example not mixing meat and dairy products; and so the trick is to prioritize and not get frustrated with the finer points. That’s not to say that the details aren’t important, it’s just that taking on Kashrut represents a change in direction and so “easy does it” has the best chance of longterm success. Having said all this, let’s take a look at the questions being posed: 1. How do we treat items that don’t have any kosher symbol (Hekhsher) on them? 2. Is there a list of kosher (and unkosher) chemical ingredients?

3. Is there a way of finding out, when the ingredients list states natural ingredients, if those natural ingredients are okay? 1. How do we treat items that don’t have any kosher symbol (Hekhsher) on them? We can divide edible items into (a) animal, (b) vegetable, (c) mineral, (d) synthetic (e) a combination of any of the above For our purposes: (a) Any animal product requires some kind of supervision or Hekhsher. The only exception is kosher species of fish which must have both fins and scales. Fish is the only kosher animal that can be eaten with a dairy meal. (b) Any vegetable in its natural state is considered kosher and can be eaten with both dairy and meat meals. Such vegetables do not require kosher certification. (c) Any pure mineral product (e.g. salt) is kosher. It can be consumed at a meat or dairy meal and does not need a Hekhsher. (d) While synthetic products may be technically eaten with meat or dairy; the fact that they are processed substances require that they have some kind of Kashrut certification. (e) This is an extension of (d). Many food products are made up of a variety of ingredients. They may contain preservatives, coagulants or anti-coagulants from a variety of sources, some of which may be animal. Such products invariably require some kind of Kashrut certification. 2. Is there a list of kosher (and unkosher) chemical ingredients? The short answer is “Yes”. You can Google the question: “Is “x” kosher?” to find out a specific answer.

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The Kitchen Corner (continued…)

Note, though, as a rule of thumb, there chemical products that are considered dairy— such as sodium caseinate; even though the product may be labeled as non-dairy. Any product that has stearate as part of its name can be assumed to be of animal origin. 3. Is there a way of finding out, when the ingredients list states “natural ingredients”, if those “natural” ingredients are OK? Again, it may be possible to go on line and run a query through “Rabbi” Google, such as: “Are the natural ingredients in X product kosher?” Know that there is a good chance that the question you’re asking has been asked before, so there’s a chance there may be an answer on line. I recently had a query concerning a package of fine Tea. Some of the individual packages were marked with a Hekhsher symbol, others weren’t. After checking on line, I was able to reach a representative of the company itself. That person assured me that there were only vegetable products used in the company’s teas. When I discovered that one of those products involved grape juice, I understood why the Orthodox Union couldn’t issue a kashrut certification. However, at Beth Ami, we have a history of consuming grape wine regardless of its source. I determined that those unmarked teas would be acceptable at Beth Ami. B’Te-a-von! Bon appetit! Mordecai Miller

What’s Happening in the CBA Kitchen? Besides our usual events, this is the time of year we are busy making hamantashen for Purim and planning for Passover. The Passover plans are a major upheaval in their own right. Not only is the kitchen unavailable for it’s usual operations, but it’s been turned upside down (just like at home) to be cleaned of all chamatz. The pots, pans, utensils of Passover exchanged with their regular equivlants. So expect the kitchen to be unavailable from the evening of Sunday, March 29th through Passover as the cleaning and seder preparations begin. After Purim is over, if you have any foodstuffs you care about that are stored in the CBA refrigerator or freezer, please make plans for removing them. Anything left after the morning of Sunday, March 29th will be donated, so that the refrigerator & freezer can be cleaned as well. Purim: Munching on Traditional Holiday Treats Right now, as I write these words, we are in the middle of making Hamantashen treats for all of us to enjoy at Purim; but consider—there are so many other traditional foods for Purim with their own meanings. Where can one begin? Let’s first start with Queen Esther. When she became queen, she still kept her kosher diet (in a non kosher environment) by eating mostly beans, peas, nuts, and seeds. So we see many traditional dishes and side dishes either featuring these items or spiced with these foods to remind us of her bravery and dedication to maintaining her hidden Jewish identity and observance to G-d while maintaining her roll as Queen. Then there is the hidden aspect or secrets in Purim. The Megillah has Esther, the Queen, as a hidden Jew in the Court of Ahashuerus,

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The Kitchen Corner (continued…)

and G-d, whose name isn’t mentioned in the Megillah, is always present, but also hidden. Foods that follow this tradition are the Ashkanazi serving kreplach, a hidden pocket of meat, or the Hungarian & Romanian custom of serving Arany Galuska, a fried dough ball filled with custard, and don’t forget the closed Hamantashen, Haman’s pockets filled with another secret, yummy treat. Favorite traditions deal directly with Wicked Haman. From Russia there is a traditional Purim Challah, Keylitsh, which represents the rope that hangs Haman. Another tradition, this from Morocco, is Ojos de Haman which is a special sweet challah-like bread roll shaped like a head and inserted with hard boiled eggs which represents the eyes of Haman. There are many traditional ways to relish consuming Haman’s twisted ears. Hamantashen referred to as Haman’s ears is my most familiar one, but there are others; from Sephardic Jews there is oznei Haman or orejas (or hojuelas) d’haman, from Italy we have Orecci d’Aman and from France we have Palmiers, each tradition with it’s own recipe to make cookies shaped like ears. Wait, there are more interesting traditions: from Turkey and Greece there is the tradition of eating wicked Haman’s Fingers which is a phyllo rolled cookie, and from Bulgaria there is a pasta dish made with speghettini or vermacelli, Caveos D’Aman, which traditionally represents Haman’s Hair. Whichever tradition you follow or try; enjoy it!

Adult Education Who will be the next Saul Bellow or Nadine Gordimer? The next adult education class starts on Thursday, April 2 Catch the rising stars among current Jewish authors: Who will be the next Saul Bellow or Nadine Gordimer? Gabor Por, who writes a blog on Jewish Literature, has a degree in library and informational sciences. Gabor has helped keep our Beth Ami library current. and will introduce us to talented contemporary Jewish writers, whom we may not have heard of before. The class will meetfor 6 Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30, starting April 2nd.

Beth Ami Gift Shop Passover will soon be here. Visit the Beth Ami Judaica gift shop. Contact Bonnie Boren if you would like to order anything special.

M–W 10–4:30 • Th 10–6 • F 10–2 Located in Beth Ami Gift Office

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Mitzvah Moments Tish Levee

Mayim, mayim, mayim! Water everywhere, but…we’re still in a drought. Despite December’s rains, January was the driest year on record. In San Francisco, no rain fell for the entire month—the first time since records have been kept—in the Gold Rush! Just a week ago we had torrential rains, with flooding throughout northern California and Sonoma County. But those rains were part of the Pineapple Express, which brings warm, tropical rain to California, but doesn’t bring the snow we desperately need in the Sierras to supply us with water later this year—approximately 1/3 of our water supplies come from the melting snowpack. However, the latest measurements put the snowpack at only 27% of normal, an amount the California Department of Water Resources described as “dismally meager.” We are in the midst of the worst drought in over 1200 years, made increasingly worse by record hot temperatures—2014, which intensified the California drought by 36% was the hottest year on record. A recent NASA study finds that things are only going to get worse. Bal Tashchit—not wasting resources. Thus water conservation is (and must always be) a top concern. http://ci.santa-rosa.ca.us/departments/utilities/conserve/Pages/default.aspx is where to learn how Santa Rosa residents and businesses save 1.45 billion gallons of water annually. Ma’achil Re’vim—feeding the hungry. As you prepare for Pesach and perform the mitzvah of Biur Chametz—clearing out the Chametz in your home, remember the hungry in Sonoma County. Donate unopened packages of chametz to the JFCS Food Pantry––there’s a barrel in the synagogue lobby.

Buy your Pesach groceries at Safeway & Oliver’s while supporting Beth Ami! Buy your Pesach groceries at Safeway & Oliver’s while supporting Beth Ami! The year-end results for 2014 are in— for the 3rd straight year our total eScrip contribution exceeded $2000 ($2166 to be exact)! This was achieved by our wonderful supporters just doing their regular shopping at Oliver’s, Safeway and other merchants; a totally painless way to give. If you are not an eScrip supporter, now is the time to sign up…then all you have to do is SHOP! If you shop at Oliver’s Markets in Santa Rosa or Cotati, remember to get your Community Card at the store and choose BETH AMI to get the eScrip proceeds. Also remember Safeway purchases paid for with a credit card no longer earn eScrip contributions. They do accept cash, checks, debit cards & Safeway gift cards (which can be purchased with a credit card). Anyone can participate in eScrip and contribute; you do not have to be a CBA member & you do not have to live in Sonoma County. Invite your friends & relatives to join us! Just go to escrip. com and put in ID# 136921119. For sign-up help or any eScrip questions, contact Nancy Sherman at (707)5389388 or [email protected].

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Social Action Scoop Lyla Nathan

Hoping everyone is enjoying the spring-like weather and that there is rain on the way. Our Social Action Committee continues to volunteer at the Redwood Empire Food Bank with a number of monthly regulars. Thanks to Ira and Ruth Rosenberg, Linda Emblen, Lenore Holloway, Susan Miller and Lyla Nathan. Please consider joining us for 2 hours on the first Wednesday of every month from 10–12. You will do a mitzvah and also get to know people in our community as well as the rest of Sonoma County. The dates for the next 2 months are: Wed. March 4th and Wed. April 1st. We also continue to bring fresh produce to the JFCS on the third Monday of the month. Special thanks to our regular volunteers: Cheryle Miller, Lenore Holloway, Karen Herskovic, Judy Hyman, Roz Edelson, Ellen Mundell, Susan Miller and Lyla Nathan. Many thanks to everyone at CBA for your continuing support of JFCS Pantry. The bins are full every month. The JFCS pantry always needs non-gluten items (pasta and cereal), boxed milk, canned tuna and chicken, healthy snacks andlow sodium soups. Passover is near and those of you who clean out your pantry please consider bringing extras to the synagogue. Thanks so much. When we donate food they don’t have to buy it at the food bank. We are going to the Coffee Teen Shelter in Santa Rosaon Wed. March 15th at 12:00to have a tour and light lunch.The shelter helps teens in crisis by providing housing, counseling and doing all they can to reunite teens with their familiesYou need to make a reservation. Anyone interested in joining us please contact Lyla Nathan at: lylanathan5@gmail,com or 526-7438. The Social Action Committee is supportive of the exciting new “Guess who is Coming to Shabbat” program at CBA. We are committed to building community and what better way

than spending a Shabbat Dinner with new and old friends. Any questions please contact Elizabeth or Carolyn at the Beth Ami office, 360-3000. Reminder: There is delicious split pea soup lovingly prepared by the Soup Sistersin the kitchen’s freezer. Remember acts of loving kindness make for a better world.

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Services at Beth Ami Please join us for services. For additional information, call the office at (707) 360-3000. March Shabbat & other Services Mar. 4—6 p.m. Purim Megillah reading and costume party Mar. 5—7 a.m. Purim morning service with Megillah reading

Shomrei Torah will join us for services at Beth Ami. April Shabbat & other Services

Apr. 24—7:30 p.m. Shabbat evening service

Apr. 3—6 p.m. Erev Passover

Apr. 25—9:30 a.m. Shabbat morning service followed by dairy potluck

Mar. 6—6 p.m. dinner* followed by Shabbat evening service at 7:30 pm

Apr. 4—9:30 a.m. Shabbat morning service followed by Kosher for Passover dairy lunch

Mar. 7—9:30 a.m. Shabbat morning service followed by dairy potluck

Apr. 4—8 p.m. Community Passover Seder*

Mar. 13 –7:30 p.m. Shabbat evening service

Apr. 9—6 p.m. Erev Yom Tov Service

Mar. 14—9:30 a.m. Shabbat morning service followed by dairy potluck Mar. 20—Rockin’ Shabbat with Lior Ben Hur (USY Kadima weekend) 5:30 p.m. service for tots; 6 p.m. dinner*; 7 p.m. service Mar. 21—9:30 a.m. Shabbat morning service followed by dairy potluck Mar. 27—No shabbat evening service at Beth Ami. We will participate in the 6:15 p.m. evening service at Shomrei Torah. Mar. 28—9:30 a.m. Shabbat morning service followed by dairy potluck.

HaAtzmaut program at 6:15 p.m.

Apr. 10—9:30 a.m. Seventh Day service Apr. 10 –7:30 p.m. Shabbat evening service Apr. 11—9:30 a.m. Shabbat morning service followed by Kosher for Passover dairy lunch Apr. 17—7:30 p.m. Shabbat evening service (Motz’ei Yom Tov)

*Reservations necessary by the proceeding Wednesday. Call the office at (707) 360-3000 to make your reservation. Daily Daven Sun. & National Holidays—8:30 a.m. Morning Minyan every Sun. in the Chapel, followed by a light breakfast on the 1st and 3rd Sun. Mon.–Fri.—7 a.m. Daily Daven in the Chapel except for Yom Tov (holidays) Sun.–Thurs.—6:30–6:50 p.m. Daily Daven in the Chapel except for Yom Tov (holidays)

Apr. 18—9:30 a.m. Shabbat morning service followed by dairy potluck Apr. 21—6 p.m. Yom HaZikaron memorial service Apr. 22—Attend Shomrei Torah’s Yom

Shabbat Dinner RSVP Shabbat Dinner:

Name

❑ Friday, March 6

Phone

# of Beth Ami Member Adults

@$18 =

I want to volunteer for (indicate which event)

# of Non-member Adults

@$22 =

Total amount enclosed

# of Youth (ages 6–17)

@$10 =

❑ Check

# of Families

@$46 =

Credit Card #

Please return payment and forms to: Congregation Beth Ami 4676 Mayette Ave. Santa Rosa, CA 95405

Expiration Date

❑ Visa/MC /

Billing Zipcode

March / April 2015 • Congregation Beth Ami Shofar • page 13 • bethamisr.org

March / April 2015 • Congregation Beth Ami Shofar • page 14 • bethamisr.org

Scholar-in-Residence

"And the winners are..." Scholar-in-Residence Gary Kenzer, USA Executive Director of HonestReporting.com presents door prize T-shirts to Rabbi Miller, Betty Boyd and Jeffrey Sheff.

Gary Kenzer, Executive Director of Honest Reporting in North America, led a series of workshops January 9-11 at Beth Ami about keeping news and social media honest in their reporting on Israel.

Chanukah Party at Beth Ami

March / April 2015 • Congregation Beth Ami Shofar • page 15 • bethamisr.org

Generous Contributions

to our

Congregation

The next time you are looking for a meaningful way to celebrate a joyous occasion, remember a loved one, or comfort a mourner, please consider a donation to Congregation Beth Ami. When you make a gift, a card is send to the honoree or the family and your donation is proudly acknowledged in the Shofar. The minimum donation for each occasion is $7.50. Congregation Beth Ami truly appreciates your support.

Endowment Fund A thoughtful donation —Myrna Morse

General Fund In memory of our parents —Abraham & Gayle Farkas In honor of Arnold Drake’s birthday —Al & Sue Batzdorff In memory of Hal Boren —Alan Krubiner & Jane Meyer In memory of Ruth Sisnow, mother of Nancy—Andy & Nancy Fleming In memory of Hal Boren —Andy & Nancy Fleming In memory of Dean Fleming, father of Andy—Andy & Nancy Fleming In memory of Sydney Perlman —Art & Charlene Bornstein

Mazal Tov to Bob & Susy Raful upon the arrival of their great grandson —Dave & Marge Ballo In memory of David’s mother, Elsa Ballo—Dave & Marge Ballo Condolences to the Friedman family upon the passing of Sydney Perlman—Dave & Marge Ballo

In memory of my son, John Metz —Florence Metz In memory of Harold Boren —Gerald Hoffman In honor of Mark Rosen; for being a good mensch —Gerald Lakins & Susan Miller

Condolences to the Rosenbach family upon the death of grandson & son, Gideon Bruce —David & Margorie Ballo

In memory of Hal Boren; In memory of Ira’s father, Ira Hayes Rosenberg; In memory of Ruth’s mother, Olive Conklin Boyer —Ira & Ruth Rosenberg

Mazal Tov to Jane Meyer & Alan Krubiner upon the birth of their granddaughter, Sydney —David & Margorie Ballo In memory of Bob Bell, with condolences to his family —David & Margorie Ballo

In memory of Hal Boren —Barbara Tomin

In loving memory of my wonderful Uncle Hal Boren—Diane Hoffman

In memory of my mother, Eleanor Marshall—Carolyn Metz

In memory of Hal Boren —Ed & Nancy Sherman

In honor of being Realtor for Al & Susanne Batzdorff—Carolyn Metz

In memory of Hal Boren —Edith Newman

In memory of my husband, David Kerben—Claire Miller

In memory of Syd Perlman —Edith Newman

In memory of my father —Dan & Blair Pleasant

In memory of Gertrude Cohen —Eli Cohen & Betty Boyd

Condolences to the Rogan family upon the passing of Rachel’s mother‑in‑law, Diane Thomas —Dave & Marge Ballo

To Nancy Wackstein in honor of your loving care of Mom —Ellen Samuel

Speedy recovery to Tish Levee —Dave & Marge Ballo

In memory of my father, Harry Schneider—Evelyn Gurevitch

Mazal Tov to Ethel & Stuart Schy upon their happy anniversary —David & Margorie Ballo

In memory of Syd Perlman —Barbara Tomin

Condolences to the Boren and Weil families upon the passing of Hal Boren—Dave & Marge Ballo

In memory of Hal Boren —Ethel Cramer

To Barbara Hendricks in honor of our wonderful friendship —Ellen Samuel to Maryann Eggleston in honor of our wonderful friendship —Ellen Samuel A generous donation —Elliot Morrison & Susan Milstein

In memory of Nomi Lev‑Yahm, mother of Vivian —Irvin & Vivian Klein A thoughtful donation—Ivan Barta In honor of being called for an aliyah—Ivan Barta A thoughtful donation—Ivan Barta In honor of the memory of Max Stein, father of Janet —Jeffrey & Janet Stein‑Larson In memory of Sydney Perlman —Judi Hyman In memory of Hal Boren —Judi Hyman In memory of Hal Boren (from Mel Decker & Judy Stern)—Judy Stern In memory of Hal Boren —Juli Scherer In memory of Hal Boren —Leanne Schy & Mark Stoelting In honor of Tish Levee’s 75th birthday—Leanne Schy & Mark Stoelting In honor of Susanne & Al Batzdorff for leading services—Lillian Judd In memory of my parents and sisters—Lillian Judd

March / April 2015 • Congregation Beth Ami Shofar • page 16 • bethamisr.org

Generous Contributions

to our

Congregation

Continued…

In honor of the congregation members who helped me to be able to say Kaddish—Lillian Judd A thoughtful donation —Marjorie Gordon Thank you to Bill & Suzie Friedman for a stupendous dinner! —Mark & Carol Rosen A generous donation —Maurice Jones

In memory of Hal Boren —Stuart & Ethel Schy

In memory of Syd Perlman —Phyllis Shapiro

General Fund—Shabbat Lunch

In memory of Hal Boren —Phyllis Shapiro

A thoughtful donation —Edith Newman A thoughtful donation —The Metz family

Israel Programming Fund

In memory of Hal Boren—Morton Sherman & Beverly Sherman

In memory of Paula Schlesinger’s mother—Bob & Susy Raful

In memory of my mother —Myrna Morse

In honor of Eli Cohen & Betty Boyd—Jeff Sheff

From Lorrain Pappin; in memory of Hal Boren —Phil Weil & Bonnie Boren

Jill Tager Nursery School Scholarship Fund

In memory of Hal Boren —Richard & Joan Riposa

In honor of being Realtor for Minona Heaviland & Peter Bruland —Carolyn Metz

In memory of Hal Boren —Richard Kahn & Anne Brown

Library Fund

In honor of the birth of Winifred Ruth Bleasdale, granddaughter of Pnina Loeb & Jeff Richman —Richard Kahn & Anne Brown

In memory of my brother‑in‑law, Mark Gurevitch—Evelyn Gurevitch

In memory of Syd Perlman —Richard Kahn & Anne Brown

Condolences to Heather Concoff and family upon the passing of her father, Bill Fryxell —Dave & Marge Ballo

In memory of Paula Schlesinger’s mother, Verlayne Offenbach —Richard Kahn & Anne Brown In memory of Roz’s father, Abraham Backman —Stan Feingold & Roz Edelson In memory of Hal Boren —Stan Feingold & Roz Edelson In memory of Hal Boren —Stewart & Lee Wolfe

Malk Fund

In memory of Harry Glickman, father of Donald Glickman —Donald & Gloria Glickman In memory of Hal Boren —Edward Salomon

In memory of my mother‑in‑law, Sophie Shapiro—Phyllis Shapiro

Nursary School Donation Condolences to Ayala Almog and family upon the tragic death of her cousin, Rabbi Kupinsky, in Israel —David & Margorie Ballo In memory of Olivia’s sister —Ellen Samuel

Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund In memory of Hal Boren —Edee Sternfield‑Squires A thoughtful donation—Ivan Barta A generous donation —Jeff & Karen Sommers In memory of Hal Boren —Jerry Lakins & Susan Miller In honor of the birth of Susy & Bob Raful’s great grandchild, Ori in Connecticut—Jerry Lakins & Susan Miller In memory of Noah and Mary Minuskin—Joseph & Signe Minuskin In memory of my husband, Fred Marvan—Regina Marvan

Religious School Donation In memory of Bill Fryxell, father of Heather Concoff —Richard Kahn & Anne Brown

In memory of Harold Boren —Marilyn Diamond

March / April 2015 • Congregation Beth Ami Shofar • page 17 • bethamisr.org

March Yahrzeits Secular dates correspond to Hebrew date of death. Observance of yahrzeit begins at sundown the previous day. All yahrzeits observed at Beth Ami. Announced on Mar. 6 & 7 Mar. 7 Simon Jimmy Saar, Brother of Ahuva Simon-Saar Mar. 8 Polly Boyd, Mother of Betty Boyd Mar. 9 Bernard Bernstein, Father of Marc Bernstein Mar. 9 Rabbi Meyer Miller, Father of Rabbi Mordecai Miller Mar. 11 Leo Gurevitch, Husband of Evelyn Gurevitch and Father of Eleanor Cohen and Russ Gurevitch Mar. 11 Jacob Stromer, Father of Marilyn Sommer Mar. 12 Mary Hahn, Mother of Edith Newman Mar. 12 Fannie Peretz, Mother of Evey Abramowitz Mar. 13 G.K. Branangan, Father of Branagan Mar. 13 Hazel Schloner, Mother of Carol Swanson and Fred Schloner Mar. 13 Edward Susnow, Father of Nancy Fleming Announced on Mar. 13 & 14 Mar. 15 Josephine Goldstein, Mother of Elaine Golemb Mar. 16 Stan Diamond, Husband of Marilyn Diamond and Father of Lauren Newman Mar. 16 Maurice Friedman, Father of Jonathan Friedman Mar. 16 Pearl Lotsoff, Mother of Cheryle Miller Mar. 18 Maurice Fried, Father of Caryn Fried Mar. 18 Lotte Hankin, Mother of Harry Hankin Mar. 19 Michael Abrams, Brother of Patty Bernstein Mar. 19 Barbara Garam, Mother of Rose Batzdorff Mar. 19 Sabine Pelta, Mother of Esther Pilch

Mar. 19 Lazar Peretz, Father of Evey Abramowitz Mar. 20 Ester Gutman-Markman, Aunt of Ahuva Simon-Saar Announced on Mar. 20 & 21 Mar. 21 Rhoda Freidman, Mother of Jonathan Friedman Mar. 21 Helen Goldman, Sister of Lillian Judd Mar. 22 Rae Abrams, Mother of Patty Bernstein Mar. 23 Rachel Jones, Grandmother of Ross Jones Mar. 23 Tillie Streitfeld, Mother-in-Law of Ricki Streitfeld Mar. 24 Yvonne Abrams, Sister-in-law of Patty Bernstein Mar. 25 Shai ben Zalman, Grandfather of Eleanor Cohen and Russ Gurevitch Mar. 25 Boruch Zelichenok, Father of Rimma Rivkin Announced on Mar. 27 & 28 Mar. 28 Joseph Meyer, Father of Jane Meyer Mar. 29 Mannie Goldstein, Father of Elaine Golemb Mar. 30 Gail Negrin, Mother of Ronit Glickman Mar. 31 Sylvia Kupperberg, Mother of Michael Kupperberg Mar. 31 Justin Sommers, Son of Karen and Jeffrey Sommers Apr. 3 Sydney Garson, Father of Andrea Nett

March Birthdays 1 3 3 5 6 15 17 17 19 20 23 23 24 26 28 29 31

Karen Herskovic Melissa Bloom Sherri Kahn Rose Batzdorff Nancy Sherman Raynore Paule William Cordell Dr. Alan Shotkin Lee Feinstein Jacqueline Sutter Kim Cordell Olga Pekker Charli Silverman Diane Brown Adolph Rivkin Warren Davis Judith Dzik

March Anniversaries 3 9 12 19 21 24 27

Ivan Barta Harry Hankin & Gussie Levine Al & Sue Batzdorff George & Paula Schlesinger John & Barbara Whitaker Ed & Nancy Sherman Jeff & Karen Sommers

March / April 2015 • Congregation Beth Ami Shofar • page 18 • bethamisr.org

April Yahrzeits Secular dates correspond to Hebrew date of death. Observance of yahrzeit begins at sundown the previous day. All yahrzeits observed at Beth Ami. Announced on Apr. 3 & 4 Apr. 5 Max Newman, Father-in-Law of Edith Newman Apr. 6 Harriet Lotsoff, Sister of Cheryle Miller Apr. 8 Harry Drake, Father of Arnold Drake Apr. 8 Ralph Stern, Husband of Cheryle Miller Apr. 9 Morris Abrams, Grandfather of Patty Bernstein Apr. 10 Edward Kahn, Father of Richard Kahn Apr. 10 Betty Katz, Mother of Audrey Darby Announced on Apr. 10 & 11 Apr. 12 Benjamin Miller, Father of Susan Miller Apr. 12 Esther Miller, Aunt of Susan Miller Apr. 12 Joseph Scherer, Father of Juli Scherer Apr. 12 Tema Zygelbaum, Aunt of Paul Zygielbaum Apr. 14 Ben Glass, Father of Gussie Levine Apr. 14 Abraham Schy, Father of Stuart Schy Apr. 15 Reba Winkler, Mother of Ben Winkler Apr. 15 Simon Weil, Father of Phil Weil Apr. 16 Jennifer Hoffman, Sister of Howard Glickman and Daughter of Gloria Glickman Apr. 17 Bea Goldstein, Mother of Marilyn Diamond, and Grandmother of Lauren Newman Apr. 17 Lillian Magnus, Grandmother of Howard Glickman Apr. 17 Rose Pinsky, Mother of

Dorothy Gerstein Apr. 17 Sophie Shapiro, Mother of Michael Shapiro Apr. 17 Mildred Stromer, Mother of Marilyn Sommer Apr. 18 John Gee, Husband of Bonnie Gee Announced on Apr. 17 & 18 Apr. 19 Rosemary Friedman, Mother of Debra Chapman and Bill Friedman Apr. 20 Elizavyeta Gaiger, Mother of Marina Voulfson Apr. 21 Joseph Zygielbaum, Father of Paul Zygielbaum Apr. 22 Samuel Gordon, Husband of Marjorie Gordon Apr. 24 Jules Goldman, Brother-in-Law of Evey Abramowitz Apr. 24 Henry Herskovic, Father of Arnold Herskovic Apr. 24 Anna Sterman, Mother of Whitey Sterman

April Birthdays 1 3 6 7 10 10 14 18 19 21 23 27 27 28 28 29 29 30

Asher Nathan Howard Glickman Alan Krubiner Robert Silverman Debra Niestat Joan Schloss Jay Holloway Barbara Tomin Barbara Whitaker Phyllis Shapiro Jeff Richman Ross Jones Justin Rosenthal Betty Franks Jeffrey Stein‑Larson Binese Goldberg Carol Swanson Jonathan Batzdorff

Announced on Apr. 24 & 25 Apr. 25 Joseph Liverman, Grandfather of Marc Bernstein Apr. 26 Rose Abrams, Grandmother of Patty Bernstein Apr. 27 Sheldon Margolese, Brother of Irwin Margolese and Uncle of Michelle Zygielbaum Apr. 29 Everett Shapiro, Husband of Phyllis Shapiro Apr. 30 Garrett H. Rosenberg, Cousin of Ira Rosenberg May 1 Margret Close, Mother of Signe Minuskin

March / April 2015 • Congregation Beth Ami Shofar • page 19 • bethamisr.org

Address service requested

March Shabbatot March 7 Parshat Ki Tissa: Ex: 31:18–33:11 (Page 529) Candle Lighting—5:51 Havdalah—6:49 March 14 Parshat Vayakhel/Pekude: Ex. 37:17–39:21 (Page 560) Candle Lighting—6:58 Havdalah—7:56 March 21 Parshat Vayikra: Lev. 3:1–4:26 Etc. (Page 592) Candle Lighting—7:05 Havdalah—8:03 March 28 Parshat Tsav: Lev. 7:11–38 (Page 617) Candle Lighting—7:12 Havdalah—8:10

April Shabbatot April 4 Parshat Pesach, Day 1: Ex: 12:21 - 51 (Page 385) Candle Lighting—7:18 Light Candles For 2nd Day—8:17 April 11 Parshat Pesach, Day 8: Dev. 14:22–16:17: (Page 1074) Candle Lighting—7:25 Havdalah—8:24 April 18 Parshat Shemini Lev. 10:12–11:32 (Page 635) Candle Lighting—7:31 Havdalah—8:32 April 25 Parshat Tazria / Metsora: Lev. 13:40–14:32 (Page 657) Candle Lighting—7:38 Havdalah—8:39